lǎo: 老 - Old, Senior, Experienced

• Keywords: lǎo, lao, 老, Chinese word for old, meaning of lao, Chinese for teacher, laoshi, laoban, lao pengyou, respect for elders Chinese culture, Chinese word for boss, old in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 老 (lǎo), a fundamental Chinese character. While its core translation is “old,” 老 (lǎo) is far more versatile, used as a prefix to show respect for a teacher (老师 lǎoshī), seniority for a boss (老板 lǎobǎn), and deep affection for an old friend (老朋友 lǎopéngyou) or spouse. This page explores its cultural significance, practical uses, and common nuances for learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lǎo
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb, Prefix
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Primarily means “old” or “aged,” but is also used as a prefix to show respect, familiarity, or long-standing relationships.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 老 (lǎo) as a character with layers. On the surface, it means “old,” like an old man or an old tree. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find it's a key ingredient in showing respect and affection. In Chinese culture, age often equates to wisdom and experience, so adding 老 (lǎo) before someone's name or title can be a sign of honor. It's also used to add a warm, familiar feeling to words like “friend” or “hometown.” It's one of the most common and culturally rich characters you'll learn.

• 老 (lǎo): The character is a pictograph of an elderly person with long hair (土), hunched over and leaning on a walking stick or cane (匕). This image directly and simply visualizes the concept of “old age,” which is the character's foundational meaning.

In Chinese culture, 老 (lǎo) is deeply connected to the value of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn), or filial piety—the virtue of respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors. Age is traditionally associated with wisdom, experience, and authority. Therefore, being “old” is not just a physical state but a respected social status. This contrasts sharply with many Western cultures, particularly in the United States, where youth is often idealized and calling someone “old” can be perceived as an insult. In China, while you wouldn't call a stranger “old” to their face, using 老 (lǎo) as a prefix for a surname (e.g., 老王 Lǎo Wáng) is a common and respectful way to address an older colleague or acquaintance. It acknowledges their seniority and experience in a way that “Mr. Wang” doesn't fully capture. It implies a mixture of respect and familiar community standing that has no direct equivalent in English.

This is the most direct meaning, used for people, animals, and sometimes things that have existed for a very long time (like an old tree or an old tradition).

• e.g., 一个老人 (yí ge lǎorén) - an old person.
• e.g., 这棵树很老了 (zhè kē shù hěn lǎo le) - this tree is very old.

This is extremely common in social and professional settings. It's attached to a surname to address someone who is older or more senior than you. It conveys both respect and a degree of familiarity.

• 老李 (Lǎo Lǐ): “Old Li” - A respectful and common way to refer to an older colleague or neighbor named Li.
• 老师 (lǎoshī): “Teacher” - Literally “old master,” this title shows deep respect for the teacher's knowledge and experience.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn): “Boss” - Also used colloquially for any shopkeeper, regardless of age.

Adding 老 (lǎo) can also signify a long-standing, cherished relationship. It adds a layer of warmth and nostalgia.

• 老朋友 (lǎopéngyou): “Old friend” - Not just a friend who is old, but a friend you've known for a long time.
• 老公 (lǎogōng) / 老婆 (lǎopó): “Husband” / “Wife” - Very common, affectionate, and informal terms.
• 老家 (lǎojiā): “Hometown” - Literally “old home,” it carries a deep sense of belonging and nostalgia.

In informal speech, 老 (lǎo) or 老是 (lǎo shì) can mean “always” or “constantly,” often with a slightly negative or complaining connotation.

• e.g., 你怎么老是迟到？ (nǐ zěnme lǎo shì chídào?) - Why are you always late?

• Example 1:
  • 我爷爷今年八十岁了，身体还很健康，但是他总说自己老了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yéye jīnnián bāshí suì le, shēntǐ hái hěn jiànkāng, dànshì tā zǒng shuō zìjǐ lǎo le.
  • English: My grandpa is 80 years old this year and still very healthy, but he always says he's old.
  • Analysis: Here, 老 is used in its most literal sense to mean “old” in age.
• Example 2:
  • 王老师，这道题我不太懂，您可以再讲一遍吗？
  • Pinyin: Wáng lǎoshī, zhè dào tí wǒ bú tài dǒng, nín kěyǐ zài jiǎng yí biàn ma?
  • English: Teacher Wang, I don't quite understand this problem. Could you explain it again?
  • Analysis: 老师 (lǎoshī) is the standard word for “teacher.” The 老 prefix signifies respect for the teacher's wisdom and position.
• Example 3:
  • 周末我见了一个老朋友，我们聊了很久。
  • Pinyin: Zhōumò wǒ jiàn le yí ge lǎopéngyou, wǒmen liáo le hěn jiǔ.
  • English: I met an old friend over the weekend, and we talked for a long time.
  • Analysis: 老朋友 (lǎopéngyou) refers to a long-standing friendship, not a friend who is elderly. It implies a deep, familiar connection.
• Example 4:
  • 老板，这件衣服能便宜点吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, zhè jiàn yīfu néng piányi diǎn ma?
  • English: Boss, can this piece of clothing be a little cheaper?
  • Analysis: 老板 (lǎobǎn) is used here to address a shopkeeper. This is a very common, informal way to get the attention of the person in charge of a small business.
• Example 5:
  • 我老公每天晚上都回来得很晚。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ lǎogōng měitiān wǎnshang dōu huílái de hěn wǎn.
  • English: My husband comes back very late every evening.
  • Analysis: 老公 (lǎogōng) is a very common and colloquial term for “husband,” similar to “hubby” in English. It shows familiarity and affection.
• Example 6:
  • 你怎么老是玩手机？去做作业！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme lǎo shì wán shǒujī? Qù zuò zuòyè!
  • English: Why are you always on your phone? Go do your homework!
  • Analysis: Here, 老是 (lǎo shì) is used as an adverb meaning “always,” often with a tone of complaint or frustration.
• Example 7:
  • 在我们家，我爸爸是老大，我是老二。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen jiā, wǒ bàba shì lǎodà, wǒ shì lǎoèr.
  • English: In our family, my dad is the eldest, and I am the second oldest.
  • Analysis: 老 is used as a prefix with numbers (老大 lǎodà, 老二 lǎo'èr, etc.) to denote birth order among siblings or ranking in a group.
• Example 8:
  • 这首歌是首老歌，我年轻的时候很流行。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē shì shǒu lǎo gē, wǒ niánqīng de shíhou hěn liúxíng.
  • English: This is an old song; it was very popular when I was young.
  • Analysis: 老歌 (lǎo gē) means “oldie” or a classic song from the past. 老 here signifies something from a previous era.
• Example 9:
  • 我打算过年的时候回老家看看。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dǎsuàn guònián de shíhou huí lǎojiā kànkan.
  • English: I plan to go back to my hometown to visit during the Chinese New Year.
  • Analysis: 老家 (lǎojiā) specifically means one's hometown or ancestral home, a place of deep personal connection.
• Example 10:
  • 老王，好久不见，最近怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Lǎo Wáng, hǎojiǔ bú jiàn, zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
  • English: Old Wang, long time no see, how have you been recently?
  • Analysis: Using 老 (lǎo) + surname is a familiar and respectful way to greet an older male colleague or friend you know well. It's friendlier and more common than using a full name or formal title in many contexts.

• Don't call strangers '老'. Calling an elderly stranger on the street “老人 (lǎorén)” is impolite. Instead, use respectful titles like 爷爷 (yéye) for an old man or 奶奶 (nǎinai) for an old woman, even if they are not your relatives. For middle-aged people, use 叔叔 (shūshu) or 阿姨 (āyí).
• '老 (lǎo)' vs. '旧 (jiù)': This is a critical distinction.
  • 老 (lǎo) is for living beings (people, animals, plants) or for concepts implying respect, affection, and a long history (old friend, old tradition).
  • 旧 (jiù) is for inanimate objects that are old, used, or worn-out.
  • Correct: 我的车很旧。(Wǒ de chē hěn jiù.) - My car is old.
  • Incorrect: ~~我的车很老。~~ (Wǒ de chē hěn lǎo.) - This sounds strange, as if the car is a living being.
  • Correct: 这是我的旧手机。(Zhè shì wǒ de jiù shǒujī.) - This is my old phone.
• '老板 (lǎobǎn)' is versatile: Remember that 老板 doesn't just mean your actual boss at a company. You can call almost any owner of a small business, like a restaurant owner, a street food vendor, or a convenience store manager, 老板. It's a polite and effective way to get their attention.

• 旧 (jiù) - “Old” or “used,” but specifically for inanimate objects. The direct counterpart to 老 for things.
• 年轻 (niánqīng) - The direct antonym of 老, meaning “young.”
• 老师 (lǎoshī) - “Teacher.” A core vocabulary word demonstrating the respectful use of 老.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - “Boss” or “shopkeeper.” Another key term using the respectful 老 prefix.
• 老公 / 老婆 (lǎogōng / lǎopó) - Common, affectionate terms for “husband” and “wife.”
• 老外 (lǎowài) - An informal, and sometimes debated, term for a “foreigner.” It literally means “old outsider.”
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - The cultural concept of “filial piety,” which is the foundation for the respect associated with 老.
• 前辈 (qiánbèi) - A more formal term for a “senior” or “predecessor” in a professional or academic setting.